Victim of Snow Avalanche in Kashmir, India

To date, the number of victims who were killed because Indian soldiers in Kashmir avalanche to 16 people. According to the AP and AFP, three others are still missing since yesterday is still in the search.

To date, the number of victims who were killed because Indian soldiers in Kashmir avalanche to 16 people. According to the AP and AFP, three others are still missing since yesterday is still in the search.

Large avalanche hit a military camp in the village of Dawar, Gurez, Bandipora border, about 115 kilometers north of Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Meanwhile, smaller landslides hit the pole at Sonamarg, Ganderbal, about 84 kilometers north of Srinagar.

At least 13 soldiers have been rescued so far after they were trapped under a thick layer of snow in Gurez. “The death toll in the avalanche has reached 16 people and three others are still missing,” said Lt. Col. JS Brar, Indian army spokesman in Srinagar.

“The dead also included five junior officers who were assigned there,” he added.

A large avalanche hit an army workshop in Gurez sector Brigade headquarters at around 22:00 local time Wednesday. In that incident, 29 police officers trapped beneath the deep snow. Officials said bad weather conditions in the area of ​​Gurez hamper rescue operations.

On Thursday afternoon, a military helicopter had flown a special team of military rescue teams to the area to conduct a search. “Rescue operations were hampered by heavy snow and bad weather conditions,” said Brar.

“A special team from the High Altitude Warfare School along with two avalanche rescue dog has reached the place,” said Brar added.

A regional government official with the disaster management cell, Amir Ali, said at least 25 military vehicles and 17 barracks destroyed in an avalanche in Gurez.

Gurez located near the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border that divides Kashmir into parts controlled by India and Pakistan. In it, there is a large deployment of Indian troops and border guards at the LoC in the region.

Officials said four police officers and two civilians were wounded in the camp Sonamarg and now they are undergoing treatment. Sonamarg avalanche hit the camp at around 17:00 local time on Wednesday.

India-controlled Kashmir experienced heavy snowfall in the upper reaches during the last two months. Authorities have issued an avalanche warning in the region following reports of Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment Snow, who ask people who inhabit these places to avoid hanging around outside.